Hydraulic Clutch Pump
Hydraulic clutch pumps are systems in which a clutch assembly is accompanied by a pump that allows the user to apply the required pressure to either engage or disengage the clutch system. Hydraulic clutches, like all clutches, are designed to either connect two shafts, lock them together to spin at the same speed, or decouple the shafts, allowing them to spin at different speeds, as is necessary to shift gears or decelerate.
Quick links to Hydraulic Clutch Pump Information
Design of Hydraulic Clutch Pumps
Hydraulic clutch pumps are generally foot or hand-powered despite their close connection with engine components. The clutch pedal is used to engage a hydraulic piston pump in a basic vehicle design. The pump may be mounted directly to the clutch, or mounting brackets may be used. They were compressing the pedal forces a piston into a hydraulic cylinder, pressurizing the hydraulic fluids already in the enclosure. The mechanical energy created in this manner is transferred from the engine to related devices such as the transmission and drive wheels, allowing the driver to steer, shift, and decelerate. When the clutch is released, the piston is withdrawn. This action draws in hydraulic fluid from a reservoir, which will be compressed with the next engagement of the pedal. The engine environment and close proximity to possibly corrosive hydraulic fluids necessitate pump components to be made of materials that can handle high temperatures created by friction and stand up to corrosion. Die cast stainless steel and cast iron components are popular choices, though ceramics such as silicon carbide and alumina are also applicable in some instances. The fluid used must be compatible with the hydraulic clutch pump parts and the engine itself. Pumps may be mounted directly to the clutch, or mounting brackets may be used.
Applications for Hydraulic Clutch Pumps
Hydraulic pumps, when used in clutch systems, use incompressible fluids, such as oil to transmit the force necessary to connect and disconnect an engine to the transmission鈥檚 input shaft. Clutch systems such as these are used in agriculture, automation, robotics, transit, automotive, transport, military, aerospace, and construction industries, among others. All kinds of engines and lift systems, ranging from conveyor belts to snow plows and tractors, utilize the power of hydraulic pumps to effectively move heavy loads with minimal effort.
Things to Consider When Choosing Hydraulic Clutch Pumps
Because these assemblies are used in vehicle power steering and braking systems, selecting the proper pump for a given application is essential. Considerations include torque rating, power, diameter, cross-sectional width, length, weight, rotational speed, and maximum pressure. Additionally, application-specific hydraulic clutch pumps may be either spring-actuated or spring-return. The former requires pressure to disengage the input shaft while the latter uses the hydraulic fluid to engage the power source.